Handbag Accessory Device

ABSTRACT

A handbag accessory device that removably attaches to the strap of a purse, handbag or similar article, and enables the user to hang hangers from the strap, as well as articles such as clothing, etc. that may be hung from the hangers, all without damaging the user&#39;s purse or handbag. The device is generally comprised of an elongated strap and a fastener, and enables a user to free up his or her hands to perform other tasks such as answering the phone, browsing other clothing racks, checking price tags, etc. Finally, the device can be removed from the purse or handbag when not in use to as to not detract from the overall appearance of the purse or handbag.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/671,874 filed on Jul. 16, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device that can be attached to a purse, handbag or similar item, and used to support one or more hangers while an individual is shopping or performing other tasks.

BACKGROUND

While shopping for clothes, many individuals will pick several items from a clothing rack to take with them into a fitting room or to purchase. However, many clothing stores do not have shopping carts, or perhaps a shopping cart is unavailable for use. Without a shopping cart, the individuals is forced to carry the various selected items, which can not only be tiring but is also inconvenient. Further, if an individual is forced to carry multiple items at the same time, he or she is prevented from performing other tasks with their hands such as answering the phone, browsing other clothing racks, checking price tags, etc.

Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a device that will enable an individual to attach multiple articles to a purse, handbag or other article while shopping, thereby freeing up the individual's hands for performing other tasks. There also exists in the art a long felt need for a device that can be removably attached to a user's purse or handbag without damaging the same and so that the device can be removed from the purse or handbag when not in use. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a device that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a device for removable attachment to a purse, handbag or the like that can be used to support and transport one or more hangers, and items hung thereon, while an individual is shopping or performing other tasks. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device is an elongated strap comprised of a first end, a second end and a fastener for removably attaching said first and second ends to form a continuous loop around, for example, a handbag strap or other article.

The purse/handbag accessory device of the present invention removably attaches to the strap of a purse, handbag or similar article, and enables the user to suspend hangers from the device, as well as articles such as clothing, etc. that may be hung from the hangers, all without damaging the user's purse or handbag. The device also enables a user to free up his or her hands to perform other tasks such as answering the phone, browsing other clothing racks, checking price tags, etc. while transporting the hung articles. Finally, the device can be removed from the purse or handbag when not in use so as to not detract from the overall appearance of the purse or handbag, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and safe and easy to use.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the present invention attached to the strap of a handbag.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the present invention attached to the strap of a handbag and supporting an empty hanger.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the present invention attached to the strap of a handbag and supporting a clothes hanger and an article of clothing hung thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device 100 of the present invention which is comprised of an elongated strap 110 of relative flexible material such as leather, plastic, cloth, polyester webbing, nylon tape/mesh, scuba webbing, reflective webbing, rigid webbing, or the like and a fastener 140. Strap 110 is further comprised of a first end 112, a second end 114, an outer surface 116 and an inner surface 118. While the dimensions of strap 110 can vary to suit user preference or a particular application, in a preferred embodiment the overall length of strap 110, as measured between first end 112 and second end 114 is preferably between 6 and 10 inches long, and the overall width of strap 110 is preferably between 0.75 and 2 inches wide. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of strap 110, as measured between outer surface 116 and inner surface 118, is preferably between 1/32 and one inch.

Fastener 140 is preferably attached to at least one of said first end 112 and second end 114, and is preferably a hook and loop fastener, though it is contemplated that other types of known fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, clasps, zippers, buckles, mini turn fidlocks, and the like, could also be used to temporarily and removably attach said first end 112 to said second end 114 to form a continuous loop around a strap 210 on a purse or handbag 200 as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, when properly installed, device 100 should encircle strap 210 such that device 100 is removably attached to and supported by handbag 200 and handbag strap 210.

When first end 112 is removably attached to second end 114 and elongated strap 110 forms a continuous loop around handbag strap 210, outer surface 116 of strap 110 faces outwardly from device 100 and away from handbag strap 210 as shown in FIG. 2, whereas inner surface 118 faces inwardly and in the direction of handbag strap 210 which is encircled by device 100. Outer surface 116 may be stylized, decorated and/or colored to match, coordinate or compliment the outward appearance of purse or handbag 200 and/or handbag strap 210, or to suit user preference.

Having described the overall structure of a preferred embodiment of present invention, the use and usefulness of device 100 will now be summarized. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a user desiring to support a hanger 300 from the strap 210 of his or her handbag 200 without causing damage to the same would install device 100 on handbag strap 210. More specifically, the user (not shown) would wrap elongated strap 110 around handbag strap 210 and use fastener 140 to removably attach first end 112 to second end 114 to form a continuous loop around handbag strap 210. As best shown in FIG. 3, the user (not shown) may then removably suspend a prior art hanger 300 from device 100 by placing a hook portion 310 of hanger 300 through the continuous loop. Hanger 300 may be any type of hanger known in the art including, without limitation a hanger 300 that is used to support an article of clothing 400, as shown in FIG. 4.

In this manner, a user (not shown) is able to removably suspend multiple items or hangers from his or her handbag 200, thereby freeing up the individual's hands to perform other tasks such as opening a changing room door, answering a cell phone, checking a price tag, etc. Moreover, because the hangers 300 are suspended directly from device 100, as opposed to handbag 200 or handbag strap 210, the handbag 200 and handbag strap 210 are less likely to be damaged or exhibit signs of wear and tear. Additionally, if device 100 becomes worn or damaged, the user can easily replace the same at far less cost than that of purchasing a new handbag 200.

As previously stated, device 100 can also be stylized, decorated and/or colored to match, coordinate or compliment the outward appearance of purse or handbag 200 and/or handbag strap 210, or to suit user preference (e.g., customizable or individualized banding). Device 100 may also accompany, or be sold as part of a gift set, with a key chain and/or luggage tag. Additionally, device 100 may be removed from the handbag strap 210 when it is not needed so as to not detract from the overall appearance of handbag 200. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other items (e.g., a pet leash, child harness, etc.) could also be attached to device 100. Finally, device 100 is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A handbag accessory device comprising: an elongated strap; and a fastener.
 2. The handbag accessory device of claim 1 wherein said elongated strap further comprises a first and second end, wherein said fastener is used to removably attach the first end to the second end to form a continuous loop.
 3. The handbag accessory device of claim 2 wherein said fastener is used to removably attach the first end to the second end to form a continuous loop around a handbag strap.
 4. The handbag accessory device of claim 1 wherein said elongated strap is comprised of at least one of leather, plastic, cloth, polyester webbing, nylon tape, mesh, scuba webbing, reflective webbing, or rigid webbing.
 5. The handbag accessory device of claim 1 wherein said elongated strap is between 6 and 10 inches in length.
 6. The handbag accessory device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one of a hook and loop fastener, button, snap, or clasp.
 7. The handbag accessory device of claim 1 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one of a zipper, buckle, or mini turn fidlock.
 8. A handbag accessory device comprising: a continuous loop; and a fastener, wherein said fastener can be used to create a temporary interruption in said continuous loop.
 9. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said continuous loop is further comprised of a first end and a second end when said continuous loop is temporarily interrupted.
 10. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said continuous loop encircles a strap on a handbag.
 11. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said handbag accessory device is removably attachable to a handbag.
 12. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said continuous loop is between 6 and 8 inches in circumference.
 13. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said continuous loop is comprised of at least one of leather, plastic, cloth, polyester webbing, nylon tape/mesh, scuba webbing, reflective webbing, or rigid webbing.
 14. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one of a hook and loop fastener, button, snap, or clasp.
 15. The handbag accessory device of claim 8 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one of a zipper, buckle, or mini turn fidlock.
 16. A handbag accessory device comprising: an elongated strap comprised of a first end and a second end; and a fastener attached to said first end for removably attaching said first end to said second end to form a continuous loop around a handbag strap, wherein a hanger is hung from said continuous loop.
 17. The handbag accessory device of claim 16 wherein said elongated strap is between 6 and 10 inches in length and between 0.75 and 2 inches in width.
 18. The handbag accessory device of claim 16 wherein said hanger is a clothes hanger.
 19. The handbag accessory device of claim 16 wherein said elongated strap is comprised of at least one of leather, plastic, cloth, polyester webbing, nylon tape/mesh, scuba webbing, reflective webbing, or rigid webbing.
 20. The handbag accessory device of claim 16 wherein said fastener is comprised of at least one of a hook and loop fastener, button, snap, clasp, zipper, buckle, or mini turn fidlock. 